GDHQNHL15_f-Hidden Gems 3

Edmonton Oilers Gameday HQ

ANAHEIM DUCKS
PATRICK MAROON, Left Wing
While it certainly helps that Maroon has gotten opportunities to
play alongside scorers like Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf, he was very
valuable to the Ducks in his own way last season. Maroon is a pest with
great determination in moving the puck forward and creating scoring
chances for his teammates.
ARIZONA COYOTES
ROB KLINKHAMMER, Left Wing
Klinkhammer doesn’t score a ton, but he’s a big and physical player
who tied for the team lead in plus-minus at +6 last season. The Coyotes
figure to struggle scoring goals in general, so they’ll need Klinkhammer
to be a physical defensive presence for them.
BOSTON BRUINS
JOHNNY BOYCHUK, Defensemen
Boychuk is a big, physical defenseman who has
been a staple on the Boston penalty kill. It’s likely
that Boston will lose Boychuk due to salary cap
issues, which would be a shame because he does a lot
to help his team win.
BUFFALO SABRES
CHRISTIAN EHRHOFF, Defensemen
There wasn’t much reason to cheer in
Buffalo last season, but the Sabres at least have a
steady defensive presence in veteran Christian
Ehrhoff. Ehrhoff is the team’s best player at
shutting down opposing attacks and regaining
possession of the puck.
CALGARY FLAMES
MIKAEL BACKLUND, Center
Not only did Backlund find his way with 39
JAMES WISNIEWSKI
points last season, he became a trusted option
against other teams’ top lines in the defensive zone.
Backlund has developed into a two-way center and one of the most
valuable players on the Flames.
CAROLINA HURRICANES
NATHAN GERBE, Left Wing
Don’t let Gerbe’s diminutive stature (5-5) fool you. He’s a high-energy
player who also has passing and goal-scoring abilities. Gerbe trains with
one of the best short players in NHL history in Martin St. Louis, and the
training is definitely paying off.
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
BRANDON SAAD, Left Wing
Saad isn’t the most prolific scorer on the Blackhawks, but does just
about everything well. He can shoot, he can pass, he can protect the puck,
and he can play defense too. Players like Saad are a big reason Chicago
continues to succeed at a high level.
COLORADO AVALANCHE
TYSON BARRIE, Defensemen
The 23-year-old Barrie had a breakout season last year, scoring 13
goals and 25 assists in just 64 games. Barrie also notched a +17 rating
and was excellent at helping the Avalanche maintain possession of the
puck. If Barrie can improve his defense he could become a not-so-secret
superstar very soon.
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
JAMES WISNIEWSKI, Defensemen
Wisniewski might not receive many accolades, but here’s something
he has in common with players like Erik Karlsson, Duncan Keith,
and Shea Weber: those players each scored 50 points last season.
Wisniewski has developed into a piece the Blue Jackets can build their
defense around.
DALLAS STARS
ANTOINE ROUSSEL, Left Wing
Roussel is a player who loves to drop the gloves, as he had a whopping
209 penalty minutes last year. That’s not why he’s on this list, though—
he’s an improving scorer with a physical style and a way of getting under
opponents’ skin.
DETROIT RED WINGS
TOMAS TATAR, Center
Tatar began last season having to fight to make the Red Wings roster.
Then he had to wait for an opportunity to play, and he made the most of
it. Tatar established himself as a good scorer and playmaker and not only
secured a spot on the roster, but became a key player in Detroit.